design palate "Meets Obsession"

So proud of Mei Tan, my dear friend and managing editor of thriving online magazine Meets Obsession (MO), on the premier issue of MO's print version! Check it out for fashion, culture, art inspirations to influence your design tastes!

[caption id="attachment_832" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From Meets Obsession"][/caption]

See the inspiration board I created for Mei for her Cleveland Park studio.

Recipe Redo: Refresh Your Coffee Table

Among my many hunts these days is finding inspiration for refreshing the Peach's decor, particularly the coffee table. It is much loved and therefore showing many years of wear. Hubby and I often find ourselves in the living area after work lounging with cocktails...sometimes staying for dinner. And on weekends watching our fave Cooking Channel morning shows, while sipping our cups of Joe, keeping our table true to its name. I'm debating getting another one, but maybe I can simply refresh it with some color. I've been browsing the interwebs and thought you might be interested in some of my finds. Coffee table redo and...

Make two yellow.
[caption id="attachment_804" align="aligncenter" width="584" caption="From Arhzine"][/caption]

Do metallic.
[caption id="attachment_805" align="aligncenter" width="530" caption="From Arhzine"][/caption]

Go white.
[caption id="attachment_806" align="aligncenter" width="584" caption="From Interior Ideaz"][/caption]

Distress it.
[caption id="attachment_816" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From Country Living"][/caption]

Use teal and showcase memories.
[caption id="attachment_809" align="aligncenter" width="554" caption="From Nature Inspired Crafts on Etsy"][/caption]

Paint it green.
[caption id="attachment_812" align="aligncenter" width="475" caption="From Ana White Home Maker"][/caption]

What do you think I should do?

Pinterest Challenge

I recently received an invitation to Pinterest, a virtual pinboard that makes it easy to catalog images you find in the interwebs. It takes the "inspiration board" to a whole new level. You can capture images for ideas for your home, your closet, your travel interests, your hairstyle, your you-name-it. I've got a pinboard for...

My dream destinations...

Source: pinayflyinghigh.wordpress.com via Michelle on Pinterest

My DIY project ideas...
























Source: snowybliss.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

































My fashion/hair style interests...(chic, right?)

























Source: thebeautystop.com via Michelle on Pinterest






















And, of course, ideas for the Peach...























Source: amberinteriordesign.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest


































Well, the craze is on for Pinterest! If you're not signed up, do it! And here's an even better way to use Pinterest and motivate you (me) to create something out of the inspirations we've found and pinned.

[caption id="attachment_761" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Image by Katie Bower of www.bowerpowerblog.com"][/caption]

Lovely ladies, Sherry of young house love, Katie of Bower Power, Emily of Style By Emily Henderson, and Lana of Making a House a Home have posed a Pinterest Summer Challenge. To learn more, check out their video (I can tell they'd be fun to hang out with!).









Alright - I guess, let's get to it!

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=5100+39th+street+nw+washington,+dc&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.060677,43.769531&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=5100+39th+St+NW,+Washington+D.C.,+District+of+Columbia+20016&ll=38.956282,-77.077471&spn=0.013432,0.026436&z=14&layer=c&cbll=38.956387,-77.077143&panoid=xWmkQSrS5xBo8lSJN62Q_w&cbp=12,277.21,,0,6.8&output=svembed&w=425&h=350]

my design palate.

[caption id="attachment_726" align="aligncenter" width="342" caption="From apartmenttherapy.com"][/caption]

Such a radiant color and beautiful paisley pattern! Me want this in my home. Hubby, who is 6 foot 2 inches, may have some challenges. But hey, it can just be a settee for me.

Backsplash Finds

Keepin' on a lookin' for kitchen inspirations. Today's exploration leads us to backsplashes!

[caption id="attachment_720" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From kitchenbacksplashes.blogspot.com"][/caption]
I found this arrangement not only to be colorful, but also unique. I don't often see a hexagon pattern in homes.

[caption id="attachment_718" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="From Country Living"][/caption]
Such simplicity, calmness from these brick layered tiles.

[caption id="attachment_719" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From darsheel.com"][/caption]
As I'm considering grey cabinets, maybe this grid-patterned backsplash can be in the running!

There are so many different types of pattern styles to consider. You can work with one tile or three tiles. Arrange the tiles in multiple ways...ooh, maybe I should consider taking old, broken dishes and making a mosaic?? Stay tuned. For now, here's a great resource find on tile patterns for those of you also planning a kitchen re-do.

Kitchen Ideas

Just browsing through small kitchen concepts to find inspiration for my kitchen re-do and found some eye candy to share with you!

[caption id="attachment_692" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="From House Beautiful"][/caption]

I am loving the unique barstools and over-the-island light fixtures. Overall feel of farm industrial. Probably won't work well with my narrow kitchen, but I like it just the same.

[caption id="attachment_693" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From House Beautiful"][/caption]

So simple....

[caption id="attachment_695" align="aligncenter" width="388" caption="From Just Beachy"][/caption]

Great countertop potential for my kitchen redo!

[caption id="attachment_699" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="From Sweet Caroline"][/caption]

I adore this kitchen. So bright and sweet.

[caption id="attachment_701" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="From Country Living"][/caption]

A better possibility for light-fixture idea.

I think you can tell that I'm leaning toward brighter is better...grey/white with splash of color here and there. Just not sure how painting the cabinets grey (as I planned to do) will work out with the reddish/orangey/brownish (is there a singular combo color name for that?) ceramic tile floor. See below. Anyone have ideas?? Thoughts?

This is the Year...

...for a kitchen re-do!  We've certainly been dreaming, waiting, saving over the past year to finally give a little TLC to our functional, yet outdated kitchen.  I'm thinking of turning this....

[caption id="attachment_684" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Our Peach's Kitchen"][/caption]

...into this
[caption id="attachment_686" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Designed by Leslie Ezelle, Season 6 Design Star Contestant"][/caption]

Good idea? Tell me what you think!

Design Chef: Chris Barrett

So I've been browsing various design schools lately, dreaming of another life, another opportunity, when I stumbled upon Chris Barrett.  She is a Southern California native who founded her company, Chris Barrett Designs, in 1987.  She designs for residential and commercial spaces and has recently launched a textile product line featuring vibrant designs for outdoors furnishings. I just love the chic spaces she has created.  Her use of contrasting, yet complementary shades of color leave happy notes and an inviting feeling (even if all I have seen are pictures).  I love the infusion of the natural elements and unique furnishings in the environments she has designed.  A few delicious examples are available for your perusal.

[caption id="attachment_648" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Mediterranean-inspired pool area of a Spanish colonial home in Santa Monica"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_649" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Bedroom in same Santa Monica home"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_647" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Sitting area in room suite of boutique Hotel Oceana"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_646" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Manhattan Beach home dining room"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_644" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Manhattan Beach home living room"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_650" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Sashi Sushi"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_651" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Sashi Sushi lounge"][/caption]

All images found in and credited to Chris Barrett Designs.

Design Dish: Thinking of Small Spaces

I've been craving a visit to NYC and dreaming about living there someday.  But I can't imagine giving up my two-level, 900+ sq ft Peach to live in a teensier home.  It helps to know though, that if you're creative, you can do a lot with very little.  Check this out: